How Do I Attach A File That Is Bigger Than 20mb To Etsy - A Seller’s Step-by-Step Guide To Overcoming Etsy’s Upload Limits

Meta Description:
Struggling to upload a file larger than 20MB to Etsy? Learn proven, seller-approved solutions to deliver large digital files professionally, securely, and stress-free—without losing sales or customer trust.

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Quick Summary (Read This First)

Etsy limits individual digital file uploads to 20MB, which can feel devastating if you sell large PDFs, planners, journals, art bundles, or high-resolution designs. The good news?
You don’t need to shrink your product, lower quality, or cancel your listing.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why Etsy has a 20MB limit (and what it means for sellers)

• The best 5 ways to deliver files larger than 20MB

• Step-by-step instructions that actually work

• How to protect your work and look professional

• What buyers expect (and how to exceed those expectations)

This post is written for real sellers, real struggles, and real solutions.

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A Story Every Digital Seller Knows

You finally did it.

You poured hours—maybe weeks—into creating something beautiful.
A journal. A planner. A workbook. A piece of art that carries heart, purpose, and value.

You click “Upload” on Etsy.

And then…

“File exceeds the 20MB limit.”

Your chest tightens.

You try again.
You compress it.
You lower the quality.
You stare at the screen thinking, “Is this really going to stop my business?”

If that moment sounds familiar, pause right here.

You are not stuck.
You are not doing anything wrong.
And thousands of successful Etsy sellers are using simple, elegant solutions to this exact problem—every single day.

Let’s walk through them.

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Why Etsy Has a 20MB File Upload Limit (And Why It’s Not Personal)

Etsy’s 20MB limit exists to:

• Keep downloads fast for buyers worldwide

• Reduce server strain

• Standardize digital delivery across the platform

What it doesn’t mean:

• That large digital products aren’t allowed

• That you can’t sell high-quality work

• That your product is “too much” for Etsy

Etsy fully allows external file delivery—you just have to do it the right way.

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The Best Ways to Attach Files Bigger Than 20MB on Etsy

✅ Option 1: Use Google Drive (Most Popular & Buyer-Friendly)

This is the #1 method used by professional Etsy sellers.

How it works:

• Upload your large file(s) to Google Drive

• Create a shareable link

• Deliver the link via:

  • Etsy’s “Digital Download” PDF

  • Or Etsy messages after purchase

Step-by-Step:

1. Go to Google Drive

2. Upload your file

3. Right-click → Get link

4. Set access to “Anyone with the link – Viewer”

5. Copy the link

Then:

• Create a 1-page PDF (under 20MB)

• Add the download link inside

• Upload that PDF to Etsy as the official download

✔ Clean
✔ Professional
✔ Familiar to buyers

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✅ Option 2: Use Dropbox (Great for Bundles)

Dropbox works almost the same as Google Drive and is excellent for:

• Large bundles

• Multiple files

• Organized folders

Best for:

• Printable bundles

• Clip art packs

• Design kits

• Multi-chapter journals

Just make sure:

• Links are set to view or download

• Files are clearly named

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✅ Option 3: Split the File Into Smaller Parts (When You Want Everything on Etsy)

If your file is slightly over 20MB, you can:

• Split it into multiple PDFs

• Upload each part separately

Example:

• Part 1: Pages 1–40

• Part 2: Pages 41–80

• Part 3: Pages 81–120

⚠️ Downsides:

• More confusing for buyers

• More downloads to manage

• Not ideal for very large files

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✅ Option 4: Compress Without Destroying Quality (Use Carefully)

Compression tools can help—but they’re risky.

Use only if:

• The file is just barely over 20MB

• Print quality still matters

Recommended tools:

• Adobe Acrobat compression

• iLovePDF

• SmallPDF

⚠️ Always test print before selling.

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✅ Option 5: Deliver After Purchase via Etsy Messages

Some sellers choose to:

• Upload a placeholder PDF

• Send the download link manually after purchase

This works, but:

• Requires more time

• Slows instant gratification

• Can frustrate buyers if not clearly explained

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What Buyers Actually Expect (And Why This Won’t Hurt Sales)

Here’s the truth:

Buyers do not care where the file is hosted.
They care about:

• Easy access

• Clear instructions

• Fast delivery

• Professional presentation

When done well, external links:

• Feel normal

• Feel secure

• Feel intentional

Many buyers won’t even notice the difference.

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How to Build Trust When Using External Links

To keep buyers confident:

• Clearly state in your listing:

  • “You’ll receive a PDF with a download link”

• Include:

  • Simple instructions

  • A backup contact message

• Name files clearly

• Use branded language

Trust comes from clarity, not file size.

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Common Questions Sellers Ask (SEO-Friendly Answers)

Can I sell large digital files on Etsy?

Yes. Etsy allows external file delivery.

Will Etsy penalize me for using Google Drive?

No. This is fully allowed and widely used.

Do buyers complain about external downloads?

Rarely—when instructions are clear.

Is this safe for my work?

Yes, when links are view-only and well managed.

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A Mindset Shift Every Digital Seller Needs

Your work being “too big” for Etsy is not a problem.

It’s a sign of value.

It means:

• You created something substantial

• You didn’t cut corners

• You built something worth protecting

Platforms have limits.
Your creativity doesn’t.

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Final Encouragement (From One Creator to Another)

If you’re here because you felt stuck, frustrated, or discouraged—hear this:

This obstacle is not a dead end.
It’s a doorway into selling smarter, not smaller.

Once you set this up once, it becomes effortless.

And soon, you’ll look back and think:

“I almost let a file size stop me—but it didn’t.”

You’ve got this.
And your work deserves to be shared—fully, beautifully, and without compromise.